[Michlib-l] Authors Selling Books

[Alan Naldrett]

Hi!I'm a librarian and an author of history books. I go to libraries all over the Lower Peninsula and give presentations, the end of which I sell and sign books, often at a discount. Each library I have been in provides a table, as well as a projector and screen for my PowerPoint presentation (I have a projector in case the facility doesn't own one, but most presenters don't). 
Some authors buy their book supply from their publisher while others self-publish, so prices vary-but I've never encountered any problems setting my own pricing. I've never had a library provide their own books. Only when I do a signing at a Costco or Barnes & Noble or other bookstore do the vendors provide their own books. 
I've always had superb librarian staff introduce me and watch over the proceedings, although they are also able to attend to other duties while I am presenting.I haven't encountered any libraries that have a written policy on author appearances, nor do I think one is needed. I've been a librarian and a library board member and haven't seen any written policies but if you feel one is warranted I would suggest having a few authors and see how it goes, and then decide if you want a policy.This is how it typically goes:1. The library provides publicity, a table, and a projector and screen if applicable. They also introduce the author.2. The author provides the books, makes his/her own change, and doesn't involve the library in the money. Many authors will donate a copy of their book to the library.3. My home library, like others, has "book fairs" inviting many local authors at a time who sell and autograph their books to library patrons. Many of these are sponsored by Friends of the Library groups.Hope this helps!Alan NaldrettAuthor of Lost Towns of Eastern Michigan,Lost Car Companies of Detroit, and others.alannaldrett at gmail.com 



 

    On Tuesday, August 9, 2016 9:54 PM, Shelley Williams <svbwilliams at gmail.com> wrote:
 

 We provide a table.  The rest is up to the author.  The ones we have had seem to prefer it this way.
Shelley
On Tue, Aug 9, 2016 at 5:33 PM, <goikea at libcoop.net> wrote:

We have the same procedure as Elk Rapids.

Annette Goike
MacDonald Public Library
New Baltimore, MI

On 08/09/2016 11:56 am, Nannette Miller wrote:


We allow the author to sell books. If they choose to do so they must provide the books, the change, and handle it for the most part. We do not involve ourselves or the Friends.

Nannette Miller
Elk Rapids District Library

On Tue, Aug 9, 2016 at 2:35 PM, Megan Buck <meg at dcl-lib.org> wrote:


Hi, All,

Years ago we had someone take issue with the selling of books during an author visit. The solution at the time now seems cumbersome and I would like to propose a change. Before I get ahead of myself I was hoping to gather information on how other libraries are handling this.

Some of the questions I have are:

Do you allow authors to sell books onsite, and if so who provides/sells the books? (Does the library provide the books to sell and keep any profit? Do you use your Friends group to sell or invite a local bookstore to sell onsite? Do you ask the author sell their own books onsite with no interaction from the library/FOTL group/bookstore?)

Do you treat self-published authors differently?

Is this something in a policy, or just the way things are done?

Thank you in advance for any and all ideas and advice!

Megan Buck

Director

Dickinson County Library

Iron Mountain, MI 49801

(906) 774-1218 [1]

www.dcl-lib.org [2]

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--

Nannette Miller | Director
Elk Rapids District Library
231.264.9979 | erlib.director at gmail.com | elkrapidslibrary.org [4]

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[4] http://elkrapidslibrary.org

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-- 
Shelley Williams
Director, White Lake Community Library
3900 White Lake Dr.
Whitehall, MI  49461

Read Early. Read Often.




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